How To Revitalize Seasonal Businesses To Stay Open All Year 16 Sep 2024, 1:45 pm

Many businesses thrive as seasonal ventures. From gardeners to fireworks retailers, some are solidly busy throughout a certain time of the year but must weather slower periods once that season ends.

However, as many franchisees of Repicci’s Italian Ice & Gelato have discovered, you can turn a seasonal business into one that garners a reliable, regular income throughout the year. With some creativity and savvy strategizing, one can revitalize their business to stay open and thriving all year long.

Italian Ice and Gelato Throughout the Year

Though many franchisees who own Repicci’s food truck businesses aim to do much of their business in the summer, when the heat and events leave people clamoring for cool treats, some have figured out how to make Italian ice cream desserts and gelato a year-round demand.

“A Repicci’s Italian Ice & Gelato food truck is perfect for any event, whether it’s fairs, festivals, sporting events, rodeos, family reunions, or even weddings,” says Brandon Naughton, Repicci’s marketing manager. Because the food truck is such a versatile offering, it can be easy to find ways to keep revenue rolling through every season, not just the summer.

Naughton himself has been a Repicci’s franchisee for many years and has leaned into the catering side of the business and repeat customers. By establishing his Repicci’s franchise as a go-to catering option, he has kept the business going even during the winter by getting events on the calendar.

Year-Round Business Ideas

Catering and repeat business are just two ways Repicci’s franchisees grow their business month to month. Other ideas include catering to particular seasons or developing new offerings that may be more popular during cooler weather.

Diversifying one’s menu can also include offering other Italian treats outside of gelato or Italian ice. One idea that some Repicci’s franchisees have tried is offering hot drinks during the winter months, such as hot cocoa. Setting up the food truck at ice rinks or during winter holiday festivals and offering items such as these can be a great way to play into the current season.

Pre-packaged items are also coming soon to Repicci’s. With pre-packaged gelato and Italian ice offerings, customers can bring a little Repicci’s home for later. This allows the food trucks to cater to more customer needs instead of relying on the immediate “cool-down” needs of customers in the hot summer months.

Franchisees can also get creative with where they bring their food truck, what events they cater to, or what other businesses they partner with. Partnering with local businesses, such as a library or a public market, for an event can be a way of offering treats and then giving customers an inside location to enjoy them. Sports arenas and corporate offices are also good options, especially if you can bring some of the offerings inside a building during a colder season.

Repeat business can be grown organically through marketing and customer-pleasing promotions. Through special promotions, loyalty programs, and incredible customer service, you can create a highly engaged customer base that will always think of your business first when they need your product or service.

Seasonal businesses like Repicci’s should use tools such as email marketing and social media marketing to keep in contact with their customer base throughout the year, not just during the busy season. Your customers need to know that you’re still around and ready to book some events!

With strategic moves and some sound business acumen, you can turn a seasonal business into one with year-round offerings. This approach can provide you with financial stability and the ability to have a better work-life balance. With a year-round business plan, it will no longer be feast or famine but a steady flow of revenue.

Like many other businesses with seasonal offerings, Repicci’s Italian Ice and Gelato franchises can grow beyond one single season with the flexibility and innovation of the business owners. Business owners, from franchisees to sole proprietors of home-based businesses to founders of large ventures, can benefit from creative thinking and diversifying their offerings. By staying attuned to customer demand throughout the year, business owners can successfully transition their businesses, securing a loyal customer base and their family’s financial future.

About the Author: Amanda Reseburg is a staff writer with Otter PR and has been a freelance journalist since 2016, with work featured in Scary Mommy and the Beloit Daily News. She was a creative entrepreneur for 13 years and founded her own hospice photography volunteer program, profiled by PBS. She lives in Orlando with her husband and three children.

Copyright © 2024 California Business Journal. All Rights Reserved.

Is League of Legends Free-to-Play? 16 Sep 2024, 11:30 am

League of Legends is one of the most popular multiplayer online battle arena games in the world. A common question among potential players is whether the game is truly free to play. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore the various aspects of LoL’s business model and what it means for players in terms of costs and accessibility.

The Short Answer: Yes, LoL is Free to Play

At its core, League of Legends is indeed a free-to-play game. You can download, install, and play the game without spending a single penny. This means you can enjoy the full competitive experience, climb the ranked ladder, and participate in all game modes without any upfront cost.

However, certain services like LoL Boosting are not free. If you’re looking to quickly climb the ranks or achieve specific goals within a limited time, boosting services often come at a cost, providing you with a shortcut to higher tiers of play.

What You Get for Free?

1. Full Access to the Game

When you download LoL, you get access to:

• All game modes (Summoner’s Rift, ARAM, rotating game modes)
• Ranked play
• Practice tool
• Custom games

2. Regular Champion Rotations

• Every week, a selection of champions becomes freely available to play
• This rotation allows players to try different champions without purchasing them

3. Ability to Earn In-Game Currency

• Blue Essence: Earned through playing games and completing missions
• Can be used to unlock champions and certain cosmetics

4. Reward Systems

• Hextech Crafting: A loot system that provides free cosmetic items
• Level-up rewards: As you increase your account level, you earn various rewards
• Event missions: Periodic events offer free missions with various rewards

What Costs Money in LoL?

While the core game is free, Riot Games, the developer of LoL, monetizes through optional purchases:

1. Champions

• Can be purchased with real money (RP – Riot Points) or in-game currency (Blue Essence)
• New champions are often more expensive when first released

2. Skins

• Cosmetic alterations for champions
• Purely aesthetic and don’t affect gameplay
• Purchased primarily with RP (real money)

3. Emotes and Icons

• Expressive elements used in-game or on your profile
• Usually purchased with RP

4. Ward Skins

• Cosmetic changes to ward appearances
• Purchased with RP

5. Loot and Hextech Crafting

• Players can buy loot boxes and keys with RP
• These provide a chance to obtain skins, champions, and other cosmetics

6. Battle Passes

• Seasonal passes that offer exclusive rewards and missions
• Purchased with RP

The Free-to-Play Experience

For players who choose not to spend money, the LoL experience is still fully enjoyable:

Champion Acquisition

• New players start with a small pool of free champions
• Additional champions can be unlocked using Blue Essence earned through gameplay
• It takes time to unlock all champions, but this gradual process allows players to learn each champion thoroughly

Cosmetics

• Free players can earn some skins and other cosmetics through:
  • Hextech crafting
  • Event rewards
  • Honor system rewards
• The variety and quantity of free cosmetics have increased over the years

Competitive Viability

• Spending money does not provide any gameplay advantages
• A free player has the same potential to reach high ranks as a paying player

Time Investment vs. Monetary Investment

While LoL is free-to-play, it’s important to consider the time investment:

Champion Unlocking

• Unlocking all champions through free play can take a considerable amount of time
• Estimated time to unlock all champions for free: 1-2 years of regular play

Cosmetic Collection

• Building a large collection of skins and other cosmetics for free is challenging
• Free cosmetics are less frequent and often random (through loot systems)

The Psychological Aspect

Understanding the psychological factors at play in free-to-play games is crucial:

Fear of Missing Out (FOMO)

• Limited-time skins and events can create pressure to spend
• Players might feel compelled to buy battle passes to not miss out on exclusive rewards

Social Pressure

• Playing with friends who have many skins might create a desire to purchase cosmetics
• Some rare skins can be seen as status symbols in the community

Balancing Act: Riot’s Perspective

Riot Games must balance several factors to maintain their free-to-play model:

Player Satisfaction

• Ensuring free players have a good experience to maintain a large player base
• Providing enough free content to keep players engaged

Revenue Generation

• Creating desirable paid content to support game development and esports ecosystems
• Balancing monetization with player goodwill

Comparison to Other Games

When considering whether LoL is truly “free,” it’s helpful to compare it to other models:

vs. Pay-to-Play Games

• LoL offers more free content than traditional pay-to-play games
• No upfront costs or subscription fees

vs. Other Free-to-Play Games

• LoL is generally considered fair in its monetization
• No “pay-to-win” elements, unlike some other free-to-play games

Conclusion: Is LoL Really Free?

In conclusion, League of Legends is genuinely free to play in the most important aspects:

1. Core Gameplay: All game modes and competitive features are completely free.
2. Fair Competition: No gameplay advantages can be purchased with real money.
3. Continuous Free Content: Regular updates, events, and rewards for free players.

However, players should be aware of the optional costs:

1. Time vs. Money: Unlocking all content for free requires a significant time investment.
2. Cosmetic Temptations: The allure of skins and other cosmetics can lead to spending.
3. Psychological Factors: FOMO and social dynamics might influence purchasing decisions.

Ultimately, whether LoL feels “free” depends on individual player goals and preferences. For those who enjoy the core gameplay and don’t mind a gradual unlocking process, LoL offers a robust, completely free gaming experience. For players who desire a wide champion pool quickly or value cosmetic variety, some monetary investment might enhance their enjoyment.

The beauty of LoL’s model is that it allows players to choose their level of financial investment while maintaining a level playing field in terms of gameplay. Whether you’re a free player or a paying customer, the Summoner’s Rift welcomes all – may your skills, not your wallet, determine your success!

Copyright © 2024 California Business Journal. All Rights Reserved.